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\n\tEd Sheeran<\/a> celebrated the U.K. government\u2019s decision to implement new changes to music education<\/a> following a review of what children are taught at most schools.<\/p>\n \n\tIn a post on Instagram<\/a>, the singer-songwriter said the new changes to the National Curriculum<\/a> address several \u201ckey points\u201d raised in an open letter he and his charitable organization<\/a>, the Ed Sheeran Foundation, sent this summer. \u201cThis involves diversifying the music genres taught in schools and removing outdated systems that stop kids from studying music and the arts as part of their school day,\u201d Sheeran wrote today, Nov. 5. \u201cThese changes give young people hope and the opportunity to study music.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tA summary of the review from the U.K. government said \u201crevitalizing arts subjects\u201d was one key area of improvement. It also called for scrapping the English baccalaureate program, which introduced a set of eight core academic subjects for students, but didn\u2019t cover the arts or vocational subjects (per The Guardian<\/a><\/em>). This program has long faced criticism from arts advocates, including Sheeran, who called for its removal in his summer letter.\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tWhile Sheeran was pleased with the changes, he said, \u201cThere\u2019s a lot more to do to support music education, especially our music teachers, but this is a step in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tHe added, \u201cWithout the encouragement I received in school, especially from my music teacher, I wouldn\u2019t be a musician today, and I know so many of my peers feel the same. My music education went beyond learning and playing. It helped me find confidence in myself, and music itself was \u2014 and still is \u2014 so important for my mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n